Jenas a 'big addition' for Jol

Last updated at 08:49 01 September 2005

Tottenham head coach Martin Jol hailed new signing Jermaine Jenas as a great player in the making after splashing out £7million on the England midfielder.

Jenas, a member of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland, agreed a five-year deal with Spurs on a day of frenetic transfer action at White Hart Lane.

"I think Jermaine will be a big addition to our group and will develop into a great player," said Jol.

Jol completed the signing of South Korean left-back Lee Young-Pyo on a four-year contract from PSV Eindhoven but failed to strike a deal with Serie A club Livorno over their striker Cristiano Lucarelli.

Meanwhile two left-sided players departed the club. Swedish full-back Erik Edman joined French side Rennes on a three-year deal and Swiss winger Reto Ziegler will spend this season on loan at Bundesliga club Hamburg.

Ziegler, 19, has been assured he remains part of Tottenham's long-term plans but given Jol has now brought in five midfielders this summer his chances of first-team football were slim.

Indeed, Jenas will also have a fight on his hands for a regular spot considering how well Michael Carrick and Edgar Davids have started the new campaign and the intense competition for places which exists in the Tottenham midfield.

But while Jenas failed to consistently reach the heights so many expected of him at Newcastle, Jol has no doubt he will shine as one of Tottenham's five England stars.

He added: "You know our philosophy, we want young players at this club and if they are already internationals like Jermaine it is always a very good thing for us.